Health Ministry invests $646M to combat mosquito-borne diseases

– deploying fogging machines, chemicals and other supplies countrywide

In an effort to reduce mosquito-borne diseases, the Ministry of Health has invested approximately $646 million to ensure that every region of Guyana receives fogging machines, chemicals and other essential vector control supplies.
Over 100 fogging machines and the relevant supplies are to be deployed to aid in national efforts against diseases such as malaria and dengue.
The Vector Control Unit will spearhead this initiative, after having conducted significant training, and developed manuals to effectively utilise the equipment.
The unit will collaborate directly with regional health officers and their staff to implement these programmes nationwide.
The handing over ceremony took place at the Ministry’s Brickdam headquarters, where Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony, noted that Neighborhood Democratic Councils (NDCs) would also participate in assisting communities with these tools.
“The equipment being showcased today represents a 646 million Guyana dollars investment… we are distributing the equipment to every region of our country and we are training the people in every region of our country, and we’ll be working with the NDCs, the municipalities.”

He highlighted that over the years, there has been a series of dengue cases, with approximately 8,000 diagnosed in 2023 and about 11,000 in 2024.
Already, 62 cases have been diagnosed this year.
Dr Anthony expressed assurance that with proper implementation of these measures, there would be a significant reduction in mosquito populations and, consequently, in the number of cases diagnosed.
Additionally, a strategic approach will be employed in utilising these tools, targeting mosquitoes at various stages of their life cycle.
“And therefore, for this year, we don’t anticipate that, once we do this properly, that we’ll have too many mosquitoes and therefore we should see a significant drop in the cases that we have been diagnosing, so that’s one aspect. And while we have been doing that, we have strengthened our laboratory capacity so we have test kits that are available in every region. We can do all the vector-borne infections, the tests for these diseases in every region. And we are going to continue to do that because we believe that, that is extremely important.”
In addition, different types of chemicals will be used to interrupt mosquitoes at both the adult and larval stages.
“We’re also using different types of chemicals that interrupt the mosquito at different parts of its life cycle. Some of this is for the adult mosquito. Others are when they are at the larval stage that we can also interrupt at that level,” he explained.
The larger-sized foggers will be mounted on vehicles and used to spray different communities. Meanwhile, the handheld types will be operated by personnel moving around and spraying specific areas.

The Minister emphasised the importance of staff using these devices carefully, as they can be hazardous. He noted that staff would be equipped with helmets, ear protection, and masks to prevent exposure to the mist being dispersed.
“We recognise that, if we are going to be using these types of machines, we have to equip the staff and properly attire them so that the things that they are sending out, the mist that would be going out, that they are not affected by that. And so, you see they have the helmets, they have the things for your ear. And more importantly, you have the mask because these masks are intended to prevent the person who is spraying from getting sick.”
It was also mentioned that the Ministry has made test kits available in every region, enabling testing for all vector-borne infections.

Meanwhile Dr Vishwa Mahadeo, Director General of the Health Ministry, who was present at the ceremony, urged residents to take care of these items as the investment is not a cheap one.
“And bottom line is, it is the people who have got the benefit. This equipment will be handed over to you. Make sure that you utilise them properly, but more importantly, you take care of them. It is not chicken-feed money. There’s a lot of money that’s invested here. You have to take care of them,” he said.
Additionally, the national referral laboratory has been enhanced to perform more advanced tests, including sequencing for molecular surveillance, thereby improving the quality of diagnostics.
The Ministry has also built testing capacity at a national level. In fact, if there is any doubt about the status of a particular test, it can be sent to the national referral laboratory, where more advanced tests are conducted.
Apart from routine tests, the Health Ministry now has the ability to perform sequencing, which aids in molecular surveillance. This advancement significantly improves the quality of the Ministry’s work.